Childminder in Dudley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361645 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Elaine Hayward

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and seven years in Dudley. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, two rabbits, five tortoises and some fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She currently minds one child in the early years age range who attends before and after school. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years after school. She takes children to and from local schools and makes use of local facilities. The childminder holds a Level three qualification in early years.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled with the childminder, making good progress in their learning and development in the short time they are with her. The childminder knows each child very well, recognising the uniqueness of each child in order to meet their individual needs. She works in partnership with parents and other professionals to promote continuity and care. The childminder has made improvements since the last inspection, effectively meeting the recommendation made. However, although the childminder shows strong commitment to making continuous improvements, her process of self-evaluation is not fully effective. As a result, not all welfare requirements are met.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 maintain a current paediatric first aid certificate at all times (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 11/04/2011

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further?

 maintain and review regularly a record of the risk assessment, ensuring it identifies all aspects of the environment, clearly stating when it was carried out, the date of the review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 11/04/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 11/04/2011

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the systems for the organisation of the setting by developing the use of self-evaluation to support ongoing improvements.

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the early years provision

Children are protected because the childminder has sound knowledge and understanding of her role and the actions to take should she have concerns about a child in her care. Children receive care in a safe and secure environment where they are supervised well at all times. The childminder demonstrates sound awareness of potential risks around the premises and on outings, eliminating and minimising hazards and has some written records in place. However, the records are not clearly and regularly reviewed and do not clearly cover all aspects of the environment, nor are they clearly in place for all outings as set out in the welfare requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly motivated and committed to providing a high level of care and education to ensure the best possible outcomes for children. She reflects upon and reviews her practice with the children, making ongoing improvements to enhance her provision. She organises her daily routines and resources successfully and has a good range of policies and procedures which she shares with parents. However, her process of self-evaluation is not fully effective to clearly identify all areas for future development, notably regarding written records and legal requirements. As a result, there was a period of time when she was minding without a current first aid certificate being in place, potentially compromising children's welfare, although she is now in the process of completing further first aid training.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly promotes equality and diversity through good practice, encouraging children to respect themselves and others. She is committed to providing good quality care for the children she minds for the brief periods before and after school. This is well supported by close partnerships with parents. As a result the childminder has very good knowledge of children's individual needs. She also has good relationships with the school the children attend in order to support their learning and development. The childminder has experience of working with children with special educational needs and disabilities and clearly understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to support children's specific individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and happy in the childminder's care. They feel secure with her because she ensures they are settled. The childminder gets to know them well and provides them with a warm and homely environment. She knows their likes and dislikes. As a result, children feel valued.

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and outcomes for children

Children only spend a short time with the childminder before or after school. The childminder is very aware of the need to complement the education and care that children receive in the day at school. She is aware of the learning and development requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage and clearly supports children to develop their learning effectively, such as helping with their reading. Children love to sit and read a book to her, well supported by a childminder who knows when and how to help them. She listens to what they have to say as they chat on the way back from school.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands children's needs at the end of the day, giving them opportunities to relax, let off steam or play with their favourite toys or activities. Children love and benefit from the fresh air each day as they walk to and from school. They love to go to the park where they can play on the equipment and have the space to run around in the wide, green open spaces. They love to feed the ducks. Children spend much time in the outdoors, enthusiastically learning about nature as they watch the birds coming into the garden to feed and nest in the birdboxes. They learn about healthy foods as they grow their own strawberries, peppers, courgettes, lettuces and tomatoes and as they savour their produce. They talk about healthy foods as they sit in the garden to eat their fruit after school, chatting about their day and what they are going to do next.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence is encouraged as they choose from and have access to a wide range of good quality resources. They learn respect, behave well and share with each other. Children concentrate as they complete a puzzle. They use their imagination as they play 'families and babies' taking it in turns to play different family roles. The children take care of their 'babies' very caringly. They love the wide range of opportunities to 'make and create'. Children learn about the wider world as they take part in celebrations and play with a wide range of good quality resources depicting diverse cultures and disabilities. Children learn about personal safety as the childminder sees two pushbikes coming towards them down the path and ensures the children stand on one side. They know to wait at the edge of the kerb and look for traffic before they cross the road. Children learn about hygiene as they wash their hands, using their individually colour-coded

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and outcomes for children

towels. Children are well supported to develop skills for the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report with regard to an appropriate first aid qualification (Welfare of the children being cared for) 11/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report with regard to undertaking a risk assessment (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 11/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report with regard to an appropriate first aid qualification (Welfare of the children being cared for) 11/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report with regard to undertaking a risk assessment (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 11/04/2011

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